Twins charged in Topeka robbery

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Twin brothers from Topeka have been charged in the armed holdup of a payday loan store in the city earlier this month.

The U.S. Attorney’s office filed charges Tuesday against 23-year-old Charles Lamar Steele and Lamar Ray Steele. The brothers have initial court appearances on Thursday and do not yet have attorneys.

Prosecutors allege that Charles Steele entered a Check Into Cash store on June 4, grabbed the clerk by the wrist and forced her at gunpoint to open a cash drawer. The clerk was hit on the head with the gun and ordered to stay down until the robber left.

Lamar Steele is charged with helping plan the robbery, which netted $1,100.

Still unidentified is a woman reported by the clerk to have driven Charles Steele away from the scene.